The following story impressed me when I read it years ago, and this year, when we are looking forward to celebrating Pesach while 6 Million Jews are living under the threat of an imminent assault on their homes and families. I feel it is an appropriate reminder of Jewish history – and hope.
The Bluzhever Rebbe, found himself in Bergen Belsen determined to celebrate Pesach in that dark cloud. Somehow, he managed to miraculously acquire the consent of the commandant to receive a small sack of flour instead of bread for the upcoming holiday of Pesach. Together with other four men, they managed to construct a primitive oven and baked Matzos amidst the hopelessness. Right before the Yom Tov, that same commandant had a change of heart and came storming into the barracks, smashing “oven” to smithereens, crumbling into the ground the few Matzos they managed to bake.
Salvaging a few very small pieces, they all felt the holy Rebbe should certainly merit to eat it, representing them all.
The Rebbe recited the Haggadah by heart and they sang along, transporting themselves to a different and elevated realm. Right before the time to eat the Matzah, a young woman’s weak voice rang out among the quiet, with the following heartfelt appeal. “The purpose of this night is to ‘tell our children’ — to transmit the remarkable story of our people. I humbly suggest that my young son, although still a minor, should eat the Matzah. I want him to know and remember that even in Bergen Belsen, Jews ate Matzah.” Indeed, the Rebbe directed that the young lad eat the Matzah instead of himself.
After the war, the Rebbe found out that his own wife and children were murdered in the camps.
Some time later, His Chasidim proposed a Shidduch for the Rebbe. It transpired that this was the same woman who asked for the Matza to be given to her son……
The Rebbe remarked that he was taken by the fact that a woman even during hopelessness, continued to dream and believe in her future generations, and considered how they would reminisce when they will be free people one day. Not only did they get married, but the Rebbe officially adopted her son. Eventually, this son has continued his legacy as his heir, serving as the Rebbe of his NY community, after he passed away some thirty years later!
Chag Pesach Kasher vesameach
Best wishes!
Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld